For those whose most recent memories of the library are from childhood, it may be time to re-visit.
This October, Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL) celebrates Canadian Library Month, which was launched by the Canadian Library Association (CLA) in 2006 to encourage Canadians to explore their local libraries. This year’s theme, “Libraries for Life,” emphasizes the social and educational opportunities libraries provide for people of all ages. Patrons are encouraged to share their stories on the Canadian Library Story Month Wall at their local branch for a chance to earn prizes.
I was enticed by these prizes to explore the Story Wall at KFPL’s Central Branch on Johnson St. Children scribbled about their favourite story time activities at the library, and college students praised the quiet study areas upstairs. The Story Wall was a touching tribute to KFPL’s influence in Kingston, and illustrated the “Libraries for Life” theme clearly by highlighting the lives KFPL has touched.
Emphasizing personal connections to the library helps KFPL a few different ways. The public institution is funded mainly by taxpayer dollars from the City of Kingston and Frontenac County, KFPL’s CEO and Chief Librarian Laura Carter, ArtSci ’02, MPA ’13, said in an interview with The Journal. As part of Canadian Library Month, she hopes members of these communities will “discover all of the things [KFPL] has to offer,” which can help with funding.
Today, Carter says finding a personal connection to the library’s important “particularly in a society where people are lonelier than ever [and] spending more time online.” Since the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents and adults have struggled to bounce back socially. The World Health Organization estimates one in six people suffer from loneliness.
“Even if you’re [at a library] and just doing your own thing—studying on your own or reading a book on your own—you’re still in a space where there’s social connection,” she said.
KFPL fosters connection through community events. A portrait event later this month will expand on the theme of “Libraries for Life,” where younger children paint older adults whom they’re paired with. The event focuses on socializing “with people maybe you wouldn’t encounter in your everyday life,” which Carter said connects more broadly with the library’s function as a community hub.
“Specifically, this year, we’re focused on the impact we make from birth all the way through adulthood,” Carter said.
The library can have impacts beyond community and literacy. “For someone to say, you know, ‘Because of the library, I was able to get a job because I could use the computers or get resume help’ emphasizes the difference we make in people’s lives,” Carter said. In this way, she said, KFPL’s services extend beyond lending books and community programming.
Carter said exploring local libraries during Canadian Library Month may help students discover new favourite study spots or connect with their communities through programmed events. For students who have yet to step foot outside of Joseph S. Stauffer Library on campus, “we’ve something for everyone,” Carter said.
Tags
Arts, Canadian Library Month, Culture, Kingston Frontenac Public Library, Library, Literature, Reading
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vòng quay online
Who knew libraries were such social hotspots? Libraries for Life indeed! Kudos to KFPL for turning a building filled with books into a potential dating scene for the socially challenged. I mean, who wouldnt want to strike up a conversation with someone reading the same outdated travel brochure you are? And the portraits with seniors event – brilliant! Its the perfect way to combat loneliness, unless youre a teenager hoping to paint your grandmas cat. Still, its refreshing to see the library pivot from dusty shelves to community connection factory, though I suspect the highlight remains free internet access after 11 pm. Long live the library, where even introverts can pretend to be busy!quay random
laser marking machine
Canadian Library Month sounds wonderful, though I suspect my story for the KFPL wall would be less heartwarming tribute and more, Found free Wi-Fi after my laptop died. Still, its great theyre highlighting the library as a place to maybe avoid digital isolation, unless you count staring at the ceiling while trying to read. Who needs portrait painting when you can have quiet (and free) people-watching, right? And hey, if showing up helps KFPL secure funding, then lets all go in and pretend to be intensely interested in the Dewey Decimal System. Bring on the libraries!
full deltarune prophecy
Libraries for Life indeed! Who knew borrowing books could be a social activity? KFPLs Story Wall sounds like a goldmine for excuses to visit, though my favourite story involves accidentally borrowing a library book and getting yelled at by a ghost. The idea of painting strangers is a charming twist on social connection – just hope you dont pick someone whose idea of fun is discussing existential dread over overdue fees. And for the Stauffer Library veterans, expanding your horizons beyond campus? Now thats a discovery worth celebrating, maybe with a silent study break!full deltarune prophecy
deltarune final prophecy
Canadian Library Month sounds wonderful, though I suspect my story for the KFPL wall might involve accidentally borrowing a book about quantum physics and then needing the resume help section myself. The idea of painting strangers is a charming way to combat the loneliness of browsing online, though I hope my 5-year-olds portrait of an older adult involves more than just using the librarys good Wi-Fi. Focusing on the librarys role beyond books is brilliant – Im all for people finding study spots and social connection without having to deal with my group projects. Long live libraries for life, and the sweet, sweet lure of potential prizes!deltarune final prophecy
laser marking machine
Canadian Library Month sounds like the perfect time to confess my lifelong love for libraries, especially the quiet study spots upstairs that college students raved about! While Im not eligible for KFPLs Story Wall prizes, I can certainly relate to the idea of finding personal connection in a library, especially since I spend most of my time online. Its refreshing to see libraries evolving beyond just lending books, like the upcoming portrait event that encourages socializing with people we wouldnt normally meet. Who knew painting seniors could be such a community builder? KFPLs CEO, Laura Carter, has a point – even just reading alone in a library feels like a social connection in this increasingly lonely digital age. Lets all embrace Canadian Library Month and discover the many ways libraries can make our lives richer, even if its just to find a new favourite study spot or avoid the dreaded loneliness of online homework!
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